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Employment.
Patients requiring work after return from Sanatoria are given special recommendations
to the Employment Exchange. The number of such patients reported to the Care Committee
during the year was 23.
Provision of Beds and Bedding.
Since 1924 the Council has provided beds and bedding which are lent to tuberculous
patients who would bo liable otherwise to spread infection by sharing a bed with another
person or persons. The Tuberculosis Visitors report periodically on the condition of the bods.
The figures for 1938 are:—
Number of families provided with beds and bedding during the year 5
Number of families using beds or bedding on December 31st, 1938 5
In addition the Public Assistance Committee have been asked to provide and have
provided bed and bedding in three cases.
Provision of Garden Shelter.
There is not much scope for the use of shelters for tuberculous patients. One Shelter
provided by the Council at the request of the Care Committee in 1935 is still in use, and
another was purchased during the year and is now in use.
Boarding out of Contacts.
Since 1925 the London County Council has made arrangements to board out for
varying periods the following types of children : —
(а) Children living in heavily infected and overcrowded homes.
(b) Children about to be discharged from institutions where they have had
treatment for tuberculosis, in cases where their homes are unsuitable.
(c) "Weakly" children living under conditions likely to subject them to
infection.
(d) Children whose mothers are having institutional treatment for tuberculosis.
The arrangements are made by the Invalid Children's Aid Association on behalf of the
London County Council, and the number accepted and reported to the Care Committee
during 1938 was 15.
Handicrafts Class.
The Handicrafts Class which was formed in 1937, in conjunction with the Hampstead
Tuberculosis Care Committee, was continued successfully dnring 1938. At the Exhibition
held at the Kensington Town Hall on 23rd March, 1938, our stall attracted considerable
attention, and many orders were received in consequence. Queen Mary attended the
Exhibition and made a purchase at the stall.
Voluntary work of great value litis been given by Mrs. Dixon, a Member of the
Hampstead Tuberculosis Care Committee. Unfortunately Mr. Stephen Smith was prevented
by ill-health from continuing his valuable assistance, and Mrs. Ollard was also unable to give
her services after the beginning of the year. We have been fortunate in retaining the
services of Mrs. Bridgman, the teacher provided by the London Count)' Council. The success
of the class is due largely to her untiring efforts and enthusiasm.